A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people and left several others injured. The incident occurred as massive crowds gathered to board trains heading to the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Factors Leading to the Stampede
- Overcrowding on Platforms: Platform 14 was particularly congested, as passengers awaited the departure of the Prayagraj Express. The delays of two other Prayagraj-bound trains, the Swatantrata Senani Express and the Bhubaneshwar Rajdhani, exacerbated the situation, leading to overcrowding on adjacent platforms.
- Blocked Staircases: In an attempt to manage the swelling crowd, railway officials blocked one staircase each on Platforms 14 and 15. This measure inadvertently caused passengers to push and jostle, resulting in many individuals falling and triggering the stampede.
Official Responses
The railway ministry has initiated a high-level investigation to determine the exact causes of the stampede. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the deployment of special trains to alleviate crowding and facilitate the movement of passengers to their destinations.
This tragic event underscores the critical need for improved crowd management and safety protocols, especially during large-scale religious gatherings like the Maha Kumbh Mela.
